{"id":1785,"date":"2026-04-11T10:35:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1785"},"modified":"2026-04-11T10:35:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:35:56","slug":"arsenal-face-huge-premier-league-title-race-moment-with-great-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1785","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal face huge Premier League title race moment with &#8216;great opportunity&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_790335\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The Premier League returns this weekend, and it\u2019s another must\u2011win game for Mikel Arteta and his side as the final weeks of the season heat up<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33750775\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750775.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2262356862.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750775.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2262356862.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750775.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2262356862.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750775.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2262356862.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"It's another huge weekend for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">It&#8217;s another huge weekend for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alan Shearer has emphasised how big Arsenal&#8217;s Premier League clash with Bournemouth is on Saturday lunchtime as the season enters its final weeks. Arsenal&#8217;s last three games across the cups and Champions League have seen Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side lose twice &#8211; the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City and the FA Cup quarter\u2011final against Southampton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They did, however, come away with a 1-0 win in their Champions League quarter\u2011final first leg against Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon, taking a significant advantage back to the Emirates for next week&#8217;s return leg. After the defeat to Southampton, many questioned whether they would be able to quiet the noise around them as the title\u2011race pressure intensified.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That will be tested from 12:30pm on Saturday in front of their home fans against a Bournemouth side unbeaten in their last 11 league games. Coincidentally, their last defeat (3-2) came against the Gunners on the south coast at the end of January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Up to 70% off Arsenal kits and merch<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32730319.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-9jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Kitbag<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/kitbag.evyy.net\/c\/344386\/789332\/11316?subId1=Regionals-football.london&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitbag.com%2Fen%2Fpremier-league%2Farsenal%2Fo-54310484%2Bt-47520158%2Bz-81-746375396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Buy Now on Kitbag<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kitbag has slashed the price of Arsenal kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;This is huge for Arsenal,&#8221; Shearer emphasised, speaking to <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.betfair.com\/betting\/football\/s-1\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">BetFair<\/a>. &#8220;If they can win again, then I think it would really, really set them up for a strong finish because I think they&#8217;d get a bit of morale and a bit of confidence back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They gave themselves a great opportunity in midweek with the hard work and the performance that they put in. So they&#8217;ve got to go again. It&#8217;s huge for Arsenal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It would be a massive blow, though, if they did drop points. I think because of the noise, it&#8217;s a great opportunity to quiet everything down again.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33750796\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33750796\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.38\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal players\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750796.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2263001437.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750796.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2263001437.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750796.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2263001437.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33750796.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2263001437.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"It's another must\u2011win for Arsenal before they face Man City next weekend\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">It&#8217;s another must\u2011win for Arsenal before they face Man City next weekend<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They did that on Tuesday, they&#8217;ve got to do it again on Saturday; and if they can, as I said, I just think the momentum is huge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They were really disappointing against Southampton and didn&#8217;t deserve to win against City. So, to get it back in midweek without playing that well. I think they can use that as a strong platform going forward if they get another result this weekend. I think Arsenal will win.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk\/grand-national-preview-2026-5688-p.asp?utm_source=Grand+National+2026+-+All&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=Grand+National+2026&amp;utm_id=Grand+National+2026\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">GRAND NATIONAL 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Bournemouth may be unbeaten in 11, but only four of those matches have been wins, the rest draws. Nonetheless, speaking ahead of their meeting, Arteta warned: &#8220;It&#8217;s amazing what (he&#8217;s) done together with the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The consistency that they&#8217;ve shown, the manner that they&#8217;ve done it, the amount of players that they&#8217;ve sold, how they have reinvented themselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The run that they are in is incredible because we now have the Premier League. When it comes down to pride, it&#8217;s huge. When it comes to rivalry on matchday, it&#8217;s even bigger.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal sit nine points clear of rivals Manchester City, who have a game in hand against Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side are also yet to host Arsenal at the Etihad on April 19.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Premier League returns this weekend, and it\u2019s another must\u2011win game for Mikel Arteta and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1785"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1785\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}